The owners of a fire-ravaged deathtrap finally responded today to a Gazette call for action.

The owners of derelict Billingham House have told how they have been "extremely concerned" over vandalism and fire attacks on the building.

Billingham House, owned by Watford-based Bizzy B Management Ltd, has been a major concern for residents who have seen the 156,000sq ft building become a vandal-plagued shell since it closed in the mid-90s.

This week Broseley Homes revealed how they want to demolish the former ICI headquarters as part of a #12m project, as reported earlier.

For weeks the Evening Gazette has made repeated attempts to hold talks with the owners, and their agents, but faced a wall of silence.

At one stage the Gazette wrote to every director of Bizzy B Management, from London to Israel, in an attempt to get a response from the company.

However yesterday we received a faxed statement from the company's representatives Sager Management Ltd, expressing their concern and detailing the increased security on the site.

It states: "The owners of Billingham House, as with the community, are extremely concerned about the on-going criminal activity threatening the integrity of the existing building.

"Sager Management is able to confirm that following consultation with the local authority, fire service and other parties the owner has taken yet more measures in an attempt to halt the victimisation and secure Billingham House.

"The measures include:

* doubling security patrols on the site

* replacing all damaged fencing

* adding an additional security perimeter

* instructing our professional team to check the building for integrity and to conduct air monitoring surveys

* closing any access to the site through the bottom floor of the building and ensuring any potential access to the building through the second floor has also been secured

It adds: "The safety of the community is of importance to the owner of the development and costly measure has been taken to avoid exposing the community to any unnecessary risk."

Kevin Bowler, a Billingham resident and campaigner, said: "I am absolutely amazed at this response. Simply because the people, the council and Billingham Partnership have been trying for five years for the owners to start taking notice."

Stockton Council has started legal action against the company to act to make the site safe or demolish it.

Broseley Homes has now finalised an agreement to purchase the land on Belasis Avenue subject to planning permission.